Fire-ravaged LA County hit with mudslides, flooding as heavy rain drenches region

Parts of Los Angeles County are experiencing mudslides and flooding following a major rain storm — just a month after deadly fires ravaged the region.

The National Weather Service issued an alert Thursday evening local time — warning residents of a “high risk of road flooding, burn scar debris flows, and strong winds or brief tornadoes.”

“There is now a high risk for a life-threatening debris flow,” the weather service said, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. “Mud, rock, and debris flows will have the potential to impact drainages, roads, and residences in and directly below the burn area.”

Beleaguered Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also issued a warning to residents Thursday night.

“Angelenos should prepare for rain through Friday, with this evening bringing the highest risk of heavy rain, flooding, debris flow, and wind gusts,” the mayor wrote on X.

Rock, mud, and ash overwhelmed parts of the Pacific Coast Highway — leaving one intersection under about four-feet of debris, as shown in a post on X.

Other images show a dystopic Los Angeles Canon Boulevard — the once tony road fully coated in dirt, muck, and mud set against burnt out properties destroyed in last month’s fires.

Flooding and mudslides have already been reported in the Hollywood Hills, Pacific Palisades and Altadena neighborhoods, the LA Times reports.

Burn scar debris flow — casually referred to as mudslides — occurs when soil is so thoroughly scorched that it does not absorb rain, causing the precipitation to simply follow gravity’s course.

After evacuation orders were issued for some areas earlier Thursday, residents are now being warned to stay home, avoid both trees and roads, and to stay away from burn scars.

Affected neighborhoods include Malibu, San Fernando valley, San Gabriel valley, the Westside, downtown LA, Altadena, parts of the San Gabriel Mountains, East LA, Southeast LA, and Whittier.

Severe thunderstorms are also expected, carrying on from earlier in the day, when Southern California experienced its heaviest downpour of the season.

The National Weather Service said LA County could experience rainfall rates of .75 to 1.25 inches per hour.